Written by Lisa Murimi
Despite the ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine is considering holding elections, raising questions about the possibility of voting in such a turbulent time.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government has previously suspended elections under martial law, which was imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
However, speculation is now increasing that elections could take place later this year.
The idea of holding elections has sparked debate. While some sources suggest Zelensky might consider it, others, including his potential rival Valerii Zaluzhnyi, emphasize that the focus must remain on the war.
Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s former army chief, publicly rejected rumors of his own presidential ambitions during the conflict.
Meanwhile, Oleh Didenko, head of Ukraine’s Central Election Commission, stated that legal changes would be necessary to allow elections, particularly due to the ongoing war and martial law.
Despite denials from government sources, polls show that Zelensky’s popularity has risen since his criticism in the West, suggesting a potential advantage for him in a second-term election.
Some diplomats believe this could be an opportunity for Zelensky to strengthen his position in peace negotiations with Russia.
Others argue that elections would undermine Ukraine’s unity and could be seen as conceding legitimacy to Russian claims that Zelensky’s leadership is illegitimate due to the delay.
One idea to overcome logistical challenges is using the Diia app, allowing displaced citizens and soldiers to vote electronically.
However, concerns remain about cyber risks and the accuracy of voter registers.
Despite this, polls show that the majority of Ukrainians oppose holding elections during the war, suggesting many prioritize the country’s unity and ongoing defense over political processes.
